Olubadan Hail Igbo’s Contribution To Commerce In Oyo

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  The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has commended the Igbos for their contribution to the Oyo State economy and reiterated his commitment to peaceful co-existence amongst the various ethnic groups in the ancient city. According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gbenga Ayoade, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday, Oba Olakulehin gave the commendation while playing host to the state chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, on Tuesday in his palace. Olubadan, who spoke through the Agba Akin Balogun of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Rafiu Onideure, said Ibadan would continue to appreciate the economic contributions of the Igbo not just in Ibadanland but in the state and Nigeria as a whole. “I implore you to continue with your business, social and religious activities peacefully and lawfully at all times as you have done in the past for the progress of Ibadanland. “The contributions of the Igbos to commerce, trade and business in Ibadanland is worthy of commendation and well appreciated by all and sundry as it is a significant contributor to the Oyo State economy and by extension our nation. “I want to enjoin other non-indigenes in Ibadan to emulate the good gesture of members of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in extending the hand of friendship and fellowship to Ibadan indigenes.” Earlier, the Coordinator of the group, Tallest Innocent, who doubles as the Special Assistant, Community Relations to Governor Seyi Makinde, expressed his gratitude to the Olubadan and the Oba-In Council for the warm reception accorded them during the visit. “Apart from paying this visit, they were at the palace to introduce the newly elected executives of the state chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to His Imperial Majesty.” He appreciated the monarch’s support before, during and after the peaceful process plus the inclusive governance approach of the traditional stool

Oyo Govt Begins Distribution Of Motorcycles To Agric Extension Officers

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Oyo State Government has begun the first phase of distribution of motorcycles to Agricultural Extension Officers across the state as a demonstration of its determination to boost agricultural extension services in the state. Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, who gave out 15 motorcycles to the agricultural extension officers on Tuesday, noted that they serve as links between researchers and farmers. According to him, extension officers play a critical role in the dissemination of innovations and technologies to small holder farmers to enhance productivity and improve farmers’ standard of living and ensure food security in the state. He explained that the Governor Seyi Makinde administration will focus on addressing some of the pressing challenges facing agricultural extension services, including systemic decline driven by several key factors. He said: “I am highly delighted to welcome you to the distribution of BAJAJ motorcycles to Officers/Extension Agents in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Agricultural Extension Officers (Agents) are the link between the researchers and the farmers. They play a critical role in the dissemination of innovations and technologies to the small holder farmers, which will invariably increase their productivity and improve their standard of living and ensure food security in the state. “Therefore, the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, approved the purchase of BAJAJ motorcycles for the Agricultural Extension Agents in the state to enhance agricultural extension service delivery. “You will all agree with me that one of the most pressing challenges facing the Agricultural Extension Officers is the systemic decline, driven by several key factors which include critical shortage of Extension Agents due to retirements without adequate replacement. “Other factors are young people’s reluctance to pursue careers in agriculture and entrepreneurship, lack of sufficient training and professional development of extension agents and lack of proper transportation resources, making it difficult for them to reach and serve farmers in remote villages. “In ameliorating the observed challenges, the present administration has embarked on programmes, projects and provision of manpower, including this distribution of BAJAJ motorcycles that we are witnessing today. “Other interventions include: Start Them Early Programme (STEP) to encourage agricultural interest in secondary school students being replicated in eight zones of Oyo State. The government just concluded the recruitment of 161 officers across cadres in the Ministry. “Last year, we also embarked on the training of 131 Extension Agents across the 33 LGAs and LCDAs on the use of digital applications to measure farmland under the 50 per cent tractorisation subsidy programme of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER). “Also, we embarked on the 50 per cent tractorisation subsidy programme under SAfER where 1,487 farmers benefited, and a total of 6,009.4083 acres of land was ploughed throughout the state. “On this note, I have the singular honour and privilege to implore the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity to bridge the gap between researchers and farmers to boost food production, improve livelihoods and promote sustainable agricultural service delivery.” Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Abosede Owoeye, noted that the distribution of the motorcycles to Agricultural Extension Officers across the state would serve as tools of transformation, as they will be able to access remote farming communities more efficiently, respond promptly to farmers’ needs and also deliver timely agricultural advisory services. She appreciated the dedication and steadfastness of the Extension Officers in the state for their contribution and achievement in the 50 per cent tractorisation programme of the state government under the SAfER programme in 2024. She urged them to ensure improved agricultural extension service delivery in the state. Speaking on behalf of the Agricultural Extension Officers, Mr Akanbi Ademola thanked Governor Makinde for improving the agriculture sector and promised to complement the efforts of the state government to ensure food security in the state.

Natasha Sues Akpabio For Defamation, Demands N100.3bn Damages

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  Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for alleged defamation. The PUNCH reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns after her Senate seat was reassigned following a reshuffle triggered by opposition members switching to the majority wing. She resisted the relocation, leading to a confrontation between her and the Senate President. However, in a suit filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on 25 February 2025, the President of the Senate, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President, Mfon Patrick, were listed as the second and third defendants. In the suit, marked CV/737/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, alleged that defamatory statements were made by the Senate President and published by his aide on Facebook. According to him, the post, titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?” included a statement suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan believed being a lawmaker was only about “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.” Giwa argued that the statement was defamatory, provocative, and disparaging, lowering his client’s dignity in the eyes of her colleagues and the public. He stated, “A DECLARATION that the words, ‘It is bottled anger by the Kogi lawmaker, who knows nothing about legislative rules. She thinks being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers,’ used and written by the third defendant at the prompting of the first and second defendants, is defamatory and intended to cause public opprobrium and disaffection toward the claimant.” She also urged the court to restrain the defendants and their associates from making further defamatory statements against her on any platform. “AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the defendants, whether acting by themselves or through their agents, privies, assigns, or associates, from further publishing or causing to be published the said defamatory words or any similar publications about the claimant on social media or in any other manner capable of defaming her,” she stated. Furthermore, Akpoti-Uduaghan asked the court to order the defendants to pay her N100 billion in general damages and N300 million as litigation costs. “An order for the payment of the sum of N100,000,000,000 as general damages. An order for the payment of the sum of N300,000,000 as the cost of action,” she prayed. Punch

Oyo Govt. Rolls Out Safety Guidelines for Advert Practitioners

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  The Oyo State Government, in a bid to ensure safety for Out-Of-Home advertising practitioners, has rolled out guidelines for practitioners, spelling out the standard of practice for all in the industry. The safety guidelines process, which was presented by the Director General of the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Hon. Oludolapo Eso Ajanaku to ensure safety during and after billboards installation process. He underscored the essence of safety and protection of workers, pedestrians, and advertisement structures and outlines critical safety measures for a secure and efficient installation process. In his word, “henceforth, it is unacceptable for any installer of advertisement structure to jettison the safety rules and guidelines processes during and after instalment of such structures for the safety benefits of pedestrians and other road users in the course of erection and maintenance of billboards and other form of signages in the state, … it is now imperative for such offenders of the process to face the hammer of the law through sanctions and to maintain order and sanity during installation of billboards across the state.” The safety guidelines highlights 1. Preliminary Site Assessment Evaluation. 2. Permit and Regulatory Compliance. 3. Personal Safety Measures. 4. Equipment and Machinery Safety. 5. Traffic and Pedestrians Control, and 6. Safety Handling and Transportation Materials, among others, essential safety measures. He said the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency would henceforth monitor and embark on enforcement excercise in line with execution of the safety guidelines process adding that any practitioner found wanting would be subjected to fines and sanctions by the agency. According to him, “Oyo State Signage and Advertisement is after the safety of lives and properties in the advertising industry in the state.”

APC Chieftain Tackles El-Rufai Over Call For Norhern-South-South Alliance

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  A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and former member of the House of Representatives, Israel Sunny-Goli, has described former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s call for an alliance between the North and South as unwarranted. Sunny-Goli stated that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria was in safe hands and did not need the kind of rescue that El-Rufai suggested during his condolence visit to late Chief Edwin Clark’s residence. Speaking during the condolence visit, El-Rufai said Nigeria was facing an existential threat and that the Niger Delta was the glue holding the nation together. He said, “Our nation, our democracy is in great danger, it is facing an existential threat, and the Niger Delta has been the glue that has been holding the country together. All people of goodwill must come together to ensure that we have good leadership.” In the statement released Tuesday in Yenagoa, Sunny-Goli described the former Kaduna State governor as calling for an alliance between the Northern and South-South regions in a desperate bid for political relevance. He pointed out that President Tinubu was diligently addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, which he inherited from his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari. He emphasised that what Nigeria needed now was for all well-meaning citizens to support President Tinubu’s initiatives, which were aimed at repositioning the country. The statement read in part, “With due respect to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El Rufai, his call for a Northern-South-South alliance is unwarranted, especially when predicated on rescuing Nigeria, as he has suggested. “It is no secret that this administration inherited a troubled economy and security issues, but through bold policy measures, we are making progress. The Nigerian Armed Forces are intensifying efforts against insurgents, restoring the nation to a path of peace and progress. “I would advise Malam El Rufai to wait until 2031 if he has ambitions for the nation’s highest office and not involve the South-South region in his political pursuits. While he has a right to his ambitions, the timing and context of his statement were inappropriate, particularly during a condolence visit to the late elder statesman Pa Edwin Clark’s residence, which should have been solely to sympathise with the bereaved family. “Furthermore, it is important to note that the South-South region is well represented in President Tinubu’s administration, with sons and daughters of the region holding significant positions. “This indicates the region’s close relationship with the president. For instance, Chief Nyesom Wike is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, marking the first time since 1976 that a Southerner holds this position. “Other key positions include distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio as President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as MD of NDDC, Felix Omatsola Ogbe as Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Abubakar Momoh as Minister of Regional Development, Festus Keyamo as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and our esteemed First Lady, Sen. Remi Tinubu, among many others. “I believe the South-South could not ask for a better deal at this time. Perhaps in 2031, we can discuss an alliance, but for now, we fully support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” Punch

MohBad: Nurse To Face Trial As Court Clears Naira Marley, Sam Larry, PrimeBoy

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  The Magistrate Court sitting in Sabo, Yaba, Lagos State, on Tuesday, acquitted popular musician, Abdulazeez Fashola, popularly called Naira Marley, in relation to the death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad. Channels TV reports that Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje, who read and implemented the legal advice issued by the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Lagos, said that Naira Marley had no case to answer. Alongside Naira Marley, the court reportedly freed music promoter, Samson Balogun, known as Sam Larry; Owodunni Ibrahim, also called Primeboy; and Mohbad’s former manager, Opere Babatunde. The DPP, however, said it shall be prosecuting the auxiliary nurse who treated Mohbad, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, and one of Mohbad’s friends, Ayobami Sadiq for the offence of reckless and negligent acts contrary to Section 251 (e) of the Criminal Law, Ch C.17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015. The duo will be prosecuted at the magistrate court. Punch

ICYMI: DStv And GOtv Sets To Increase Subscription Prices Again

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  Multichoice is set to increase the prices of its DStv and GOtv packages effective from March 1, 2025. This was disclosed in a statement to its customers on Monday. The statement titled, “Price adjustments for DStv and GOtv packages,” read, “Dear Customer, please note that effective 1 March 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DStv packages.   “This is to enable us to continue to offer our customers world-class homegrown and international content, delivered through the best technology.” Recall that this is coming almost one year after its last price review. According to the company, its latest price review will hike the DStv Compact bouquet from N15,700 to N19,000, the Compact Plus to N30,000, and the Premium subscription to N44,500. Similarly, GOtv customers, who currently pay N3,600, will now pay N3,900, while the tariff on GOtv Plus will rise from N4,850 to N5,800. The GoTV max package will now cost N8,500 while the Supa will cost N11,400 and the Supa Plus, N16,800. MultiChoice, the parent company for DStv and GOtv, claimed the price increase is due to the increasing cost of running a business in Nigeria. It points to currency depreciation, with the naira’s value dropping significantly and high inflation ballooning its operation expenses.

Inauguration: Aiyedatiwa Frees Eight Inmates, Reduces Sentences For 35 Others

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  Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday, marked his swearing-in with a bold act of clemency, granting freedom and reduced sentences to 43 prisoners. Acting on the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, Aiyedatiwa ordered the immediate release of eight convicts, while 15 death row inmates had their sentences commuted to prison terms. Another 20 serving life sentences were granted reduced jail terms. This is according to a Monday statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan. It was titled, “Inauguration: Gov Aiyedatiwa Extends Mercy to 43 Prisoners.” This is in a move that underscores his commitment to justice reform, the statement noted. “This decision is a testament to Governor Aiyedatiwa’s belief in second chances and the potential for rehabilitation,” said the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN “It is His Excellency’s responsibility to ensure that our justice system reflects mercy and humanity.” The move aligns with Aiyedatiwa’s broader judicial reforms. In October 2024, he swore in six new judges to strengthen the state’s legal system, declaring, “This is particularly fulfilling for me, as it marks the second time in our administration’s history that appointments to the Bench of the state judiciary have been made—and in such a large number.” His inauguration also carries deep personal significance. Reflecting on his journey, he stated, “It has been his [late Governor Akeredolu’s] wish that I succeed him. He said it on our first day of inauguration.” With his second term officially underway, Aiyedatiwa has set a clear tone: a government focused on justice, fairness, and second chances, the statement concluded. Punch

PDP Governors Praise Adeleke For Success In Osun LG Elections

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  The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the people of the state on the successful conduct of the Local Government Council Elections held on Saturday. In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Director-General, Dr Emmanuel Agbo, the forum, under the leadership of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, commended the PDP for securing a resounding victory in the elections. Describing the outcome as a validation of good governance, Governor Mohammed said, “This is a well-deserved victory after a hard-fought contest—for Governor Adeleke, the PDP, democracy, and the undeniable impact of good governance in public service.” He urged Adeleke to ensure that the newly elected local government chairmen and councillors embrace inclusivity and work towards sustaining peace and unity in the state. “The elected officials must be magnanimous in victory and promote a culture of tolerance to further consolidate the peace already enjoyed in the state,” he stated. The forum commended Adeleke for his administration’s grassroots development initiatives, youth empowerment programmes, and commitment to women’s inclusion, which they described as key factors in the PDP’s electoral success. “Having verified Governor Adeleke’s numerous capacity-building and empowerment initiatives, we are confident that he will lead the newly elected local government officials to maximise all opportunities for delivering life-changing dividends of democracy to Osun residents,” the statement read. The forum further described the election as “a referendum on Adeleke’s leadership and acceptability in Osun State.” The statement added, “Power in a democracy resides with the people. Once again, the people of Osun have spoken, reaffirming their trust in the PDP as a people-centred party.” The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission was also praised for conducting a credible election and upholding the integrity of the process. “With the successful conclusion of the exercise, it is evident that the voice of the people has been honoured,” the forum added. Punch

PHOTO: Tragic Bus Fire In Jigawa Claims Four Lives, Injures 10

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  Four people were burned beyond recognition, and ten others sustained injuries after fire engulfed a Hummer bus in Jigawa State on February 22, 2025. The incident occurred around 4:00 pm near Government Girls Unity Secondary School in Gwaram. According to the spokesperson for the Jigawa State Police Command, SP Lawan Adam, in a statement on Sunday, the bus was travelling from Zaki Local Government Area in Bauchi State to Rabadi village in Gwaram Local Government Area when the fire broke out. “The vehicle was carrying 44 passengers, including 25 adults and 19 children,” Adam said. Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire started when the vehicle’s exhaust came into contact with a mattress tied to the back of the bus, igniting flames that quickly spread. “The victims were identified as Zuwairah Hassan, 40; Fatima Hassan, 5; Iyatale Hassan, 3; and Halima Muhammad, 10 — all from Saldiga village in Zaki LGA, Bauchi State,” the statement further read. Ten injured passengers were taken to Gwaram Cottage Hospital, while the remaining passengers were safely evacuated. The bodies of the deceased were handed over to their families after medical examination. The Jigawa State Police Command has urged commercial drivers to prioritise safety, avoid overloading, and conduct routine vehicle checks. “We urge all drivers to be mindful of the safety of their passengers and other road users. “Overloading and reckless driving can have devastating consequences, as we have seen in this tragic incident,” Adam said. Police investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire and any possible negligence, the statement concluded. Punch

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